Live updates: Nick Saban speaks following Alabama’s first spring scrimmage

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama coach Nick Saban spoke to reporters on Saturday following the Crimson Tide’s first spring scrimmage on Saturday noon. It was held at Bryant-Denny Stadium and closed except to Alabama’s A-Club members and those attending the annual coaching clinic:

Here’s a rundown of what Saban told reporters:

• “I thought there were a lot of good things out there” for a first scrimmage. Ultimate goal is to develop an identity, and we always talk about how we want to be a team that no one wants to play. Saban liked the transition offensively, a number of big passing plays. Defensively a lot of good hitting and tackling. Young players made a lot of mental errors.

• We don’t have enough respect for the deep part of the field, as evidenced by the number of deep completions.

• If there’s one thing we especially need to improve is consistency.

• Hurts completed more than 50 percent of his passes and had four touchdowns, no interceptions. Did a better job in the pocket and with play-action passes.

• Need to do a better job upfront, and finishing plays and runs.

• Minkah Fitzpatrick played safety. Diggs played corner.

• Running back Damien Harris played, but might be out for a few days with a sprained foot. Josh Jacobs was held out with a thigh bruise. Bo Scarbrough and B.J. Emmons didn’t scrimmage.

• Diggs played corner. Will need to make a decision on where he’s going to play in the near future.

• Defensive front seven did “ok” against the run. “Past that I don’t have a good feel for it without looking at the film.”

• Saban praised Calvin Ridley and Robert Foster, both played well. Ridley had eight catches and Foster was “more engaged.” Wide receivers is an area they need to make considerable improvement, but he was pleased with how the unit played.

• On offensive line: Pass protection and being more physical are two things we need to improve on.

• On the final question Saban was asked about the rule he gave the rant about earlier in the spring, about how high school coaches can’t work college camps any more. He gave a long answer on why he’s upset about it and said, “I guess I’m old fashioned.” (SEC Country will post a transcript of what he said later Saturday.